Adaklu Torda School
Adaklu Torda is a rural community situated in the Volta region of Ghana, with a population of approximately 4,100. The primary economic activities in the area include subsistence farming, trading, and hunting. The residents are known for their friendliness and hospitality.The Adaklu Torda community school was founded in 1962 through a collaboration between the Government of Ghana and the local community. Since its inception, the school has seen little major development from the government, prompting community members to regularly unite and contribute to the school's support through communal labor, alongside assistance from various organizations. The current school population is 280, ranging from kindergarten through ninth grade.
The Women’s Apprenticeship Program
Launched in 2019 through the women’s empowerment initiative of our implementing partner, Volunteers for Amelioration of Rural Areas (VARAS), the Women’s Apprenticeship Program offers tuition-free vocational training to rural women escaping severe abuse. This 12-month program equips participants with practical, market-relevant skills to foster long-term social and economic independence. The core curriculum focuses on sewing and dressmaking for men’s and women’s apparel, complemented by training in soap making, Kente weaving, and Batik tie-dye. To ensure long-term success, apprentices also receive instruction in basic English, mathematics, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, a free hand-sewing machine, and essential tools to eliminate initial barriers to starting a business.Now in its sixth year, the program has successfully graduated 40 women who are now self-sustained, indirectly securing livelihoods for more than 3,000 family members.